BRIMFIELD — If there's one thing on which the supporters and opponents of Tree House Brewery LLC agree, it's that there seems to be a problem interpreting the town's bylaws.

For about a week now, Tree House owner Damien Goodreau has been trying to figure why, after getting the blessing of several town boards and the state, his small brewery on St. Claire Road has been ruled in violation of zoning bylaws.

Meanwhile, John Mortarelli, whose complaints about the brewery prompted the Zoning Board of Appeals decision, can't believe the brewery was ever allowed to open in an area zoned for agricultural and residential uses.

The disagreement stems from the interpretation of the town's zoning bylaws, which were voted in during the 1960s. Some folks who read the laws believe the brewery, which grows a small amount of hops along with dandelions and mint used to brew some of its special concoctions, is considered an agri-business.

But Mr. Mortarelli said a farm needs to be 5 acres and produce crops that net the farmer $1,000 per acre. An admitted teetotaler who's never tried the beers at Tree House, he said there's no way the 2.7- acre parcel could ever be used as a farm and he has an issue with the retail sale of products from the barn-turned-brewery.

Although times have changed and the craft brewing industry is growing by leaps and bounds, even in a tough economy, the bylaws were never adapted. In fact, Mr. Mortarelli said, if a specific business isn't listed in the bylaws, it can't operate in town, and, he said, residents like the idea that the town isn't business-friendly.

"We like our zoning bylaws because they're very restrictive," he said. "We've got 3,000 people. How much land do we have to give to the businesses?"

Mr. Goodreau said the beer brewing should be allowed if his reading of the bylaw is correct. He said the business has a small impact on the neighborhood, being open just nine hours per week. No alcohol is served on the premises, and customers simply come by to have their growlers — glass containers designed to hold beer — filled, to drink later. They walk the grounds and learn about beer.

Customers come from around New England and often beyond, and the beers are getting rave reviews on beer-related websites. Mr. Goodreau thought the town would welcome a small, well-run business that promotes agricultural tourism, since his customers frequent other businesses in town.

"What does this say to a small business that wants to come to Brimfield?" he wondered. "No one starts a business with the intention of failing, and we didn't do that either."

He also worries about what the decision might mean for others who make or grow and sell products at their homes or farms.

"This could open a whole big box of stuff," he said.

When he and his wife found the property in Brimfield, they loved the views and rustic tree house at the edge of a field. They are expecting their first child, and Mr. Goodreau said, "These should be the happiest moments of out lives." Instead, they talk about the zoning issues at night after spending their days at their full-time jobs.

Mr. Mortarelli said the brewers should have just closed up shop after the ZBA ruling on July 10 because "good people follow the law." He said his intent is to "shut them down completely" and he admits he's no stranger to using the bylaws to bring down other residents or businesses he thinks aren't in compliance.

"I've done this before. My wife and I, we do our homework," he said, adding that while he's not a direct abutter to the Goodreaus' property, he's still being affected. "We don't like to be wrong."

He has a small amount of sympathy for Mr. Goodreau because he thinks he may have been "sold a bill of goods." And he's glad the brewers make good beer, he just doesn't want it made in his neighborhood.

He's angry at the town, too. He thinks the zoning enforcement officer is lax in his duties and many town board members don't grasp what the zoning bylaws mean or turn their heads from violations.

"The town, out of its sheer dumbness, let this place run up there," he said.

Mr. Goodreau admits that his business plan didn't take into account the speed at which the brewery's popularity grew, but says he's done his best to manage the growth and works hard to be a good neighbor. A revised business plan has the partners looking for a new site — one with the rural character of the current space — to meet the needs of their clients and allow for the growth they've experienced.

"It's not just about beer, it's about atmosphere. Our goal was never to stay there forever," he said. "We definitely outgrew the space much sooner than we expected, which is a good thing for a business."

He'd like the business to stay in Brimfield, but he admits the politics have left him a bit stunned.

"I can't say a bad thing about Brimfield, though," he said, "because 99 percent of our neighbors supported us at the hearing."

Mr. Goodreau said he's learned he can stay open during the appeals process, and the matter will be headed to court, though he's not sure how long the appeal will take. Until it's decided, he plans to keep on brewing.